Sunday Confessional: I'm Going to Tan This Summer

I'm going to slather on the SPF 15 before I lay in the sun, but I want to get a genuine sun-tan this summer. There's a lot of cancer in my family and for years I've gone with the fair-skin look, but I recently dyed my hair blonde and I just really want a tan to go with it.

I plan on letting it fade once fall hits, and next summer, it's back to the high-SPFs again.

Whatever, it's summer and sometimes just sitting in the sun feels fantastic. Don't over do it. You can wear sunscreen and actually tan better. If you just use oil it will burn you and the tan goes away faster. Gradual tanning is the best!

You know this is not a good idea. You're naturally fair skinned and cancer runs in your family, that puts you at a much, much higher risk than most people. Think about it before doing anything stupid.
Also, on a superficial note: why do you think blonde hair goes with tan skin? Don't you think it's a little too...Paris Hilton?

You know this is not a good idea. You're naturally fair skinned and cancer runs in your family, that puts you at a much, much higher risk than most people. Think about it before doing anything stupid. Also, on a superficial note: why do you think blonde hair goes with tan skin? Don't you think it's a little too...Paris Hilton?

I enjoy tanning, I am 33 and many people tell me that I look young for my age (mind you I am part Italian so it takes longer for me to burn). You just have to do it in a smart way, for example wear sunscreen on your face everyday and wear SPF on your body if you are sitting out. Everything in moderation I think. I also use Jergens or Aveeno gradual self tanner in the winter or over my tan to enhance it, it looks very natural.

Be proud of your skin color! I'm very fair, naturally blonde, and I get comments all the time about how white I am and need a tan. It's ridiculous that society tries to push "color" onto others, that's just the way God made us. Even if I wanted to tan in the sun, I couldn't, I just burn.
I've had my fair share of sunburns growing up, I would never put myself in that situation on purpose. I avoid the sun like the plague :P

Be proud of your skin color! I'm very fair, naturally blonde, and I get comments all the time about how white I am and need a tan. It's ridiculous that society tries to push "color" onto others, that's just the way God made us. Even if I wanted to tan in the sun, I couldn't, I just burn. I've had my fair share of sunburns growing up, I would never put myself in that situation on purpose. I avoid the sun like the plague :P

I find all the comments about "safe" tanning pretty funny. Yyyyeeeah, and more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!
Full-on tanning is not necessarily required for your weekly dose of vitamin D. A fair-skinned person requires about 45 minutes of sunlight per week to get a healthy level of the vitamin, which is about 6 minutes daily. And yes, the darker the skin tone, the longer the exposure needed (a dark-skinned person may require up to three hours per week of sun exposure, which is about 25 minutes a day), but the OP said she was fair-skinned. She doesn't need to lay out "tanning" to achieve her weekly dose of vitamin D, so that's not a good reason to justify such an unhealthy habit.

I find all the comments about "safe" tanning pretty funny. Yyyyeeeah, and more doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette!Full-on tanning is not necessarily required for your weekly dose of vitamin D. A fair-skinned person requires about 45 minutes of sunlight per week to get a healthy level of the vitamin, which is about 6 minutes daily. And yes, the darker the skin tone, the longer the exposure needed (a dark-skinned person may require up to three hours per week of sun exposure, which is about 25 minutes a day), but the OP said she was fair-skinned. She doesn't need to lay out "tanning" to achieve her weekly dose of vitamin D, so that's not a good reason to justify such an unhealthy habit.

To each their own but I do not understand the desire to lay out in the sun and char the skin. I was born with very fair skin and red hair, a dangerous combo for skin cancer. I have had more than 2 "bad" sunburns before I turned 18. I mean peeling skin, the inability to wear clothes for at least a week and even have a couple of scars from blisters. These were not because of the desire to tan but stupidity of not wearing sunscreen when I was out in the sun all day. I have never done this again, carefully check my skin monthly and wear SPF everyday. Skin cancer is not joke and it isn't worth the 2 months of golden brown skin. Embrace your pale skin and wear it proud. I do!

A higher SPF might be better. 15 may get you burned. An spf of 30 is probably safer.
I've read that it's good to get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure for vitamin D. But hanging out in the sun for hours with little protection can be risky, especially if you do it all summer long.
Be safe.

A higher SPF might be better. 15 may get you burned. An spf of 30 is probably safer. I've read that it's good to get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure for vitamin D. But hanging out in the sun for hours with little protection can be risky, especially if you do it all summer long. Be safe.

I agree with #15. The tanned beach blonde look is not very attractive. I hate when blondes get too dark of a tan. It just doesn't look right in my opinion. As a natural blonde, I prefer sticking with my natural fair skin tone.

I'm relatively fair skinned -- but I don't usually burn. I wear spf 45 on my face and 15 on the rest of my body. In the summer I like to sunbathe. I've spoken to my dermatoligist about this. He likes to sun tan too.
There are ways to be smart about being in the sun. And there are actually some health benefits to it. My doctor recommended spending no more than 30 minutes in the sun. I sometimes spend a bit more than 30 minutes, but I don't do it everyday. And I cover my face and neck which is exposed to the sun year-round, every time I step outside.
Of course, everyone is different, so you should speak to your own doctor about your sun habits! I sometimes feel guilty about it, but it is something I love to do. More than just the effect of tanning, I love sitting by the pool in the sun, reading books, etc.
It's an indulgence. Just like alcohol or fatty foods. If you do it in moderation (and not Jersey Shore style), you shouldn't beat yourself up over it!

I'm relatively fair skinned -- but I don't usually burn. I wear spf 45 on my face and 15 on the rest of my body. In the summer I like to sunbathe. I've spoken to my dermatoligist about this. He likes to sun tan too. There are ways to be smart about being in the sun. And there are actually some health benefits to it. My doctor recommended spending no more than 30 minutes in the sun. I sometimes spend a bit more than 30 minutes, but I don't do it everyday. And I cover my face and neck which is exposed to the sun year-round, every time I step outside.Of course, everyone is different, so you should speak to your own doctor about your sun habits! I sometimes feel guilty about it, but it is something I love to do. More than just the effect of tanning, I love sitting by the pool in the sun, reading books, etc.It's an indulgence. Just like alcohol or fatty foods. If you do it in moderation (and not Jersey Shore style), you shouldn't beat yourself up over it!